Sacramento drops sloppy game in the desert

The Sacramento River Cats (25-40) could not withstand the offensive barrage by the Las Vegas 51s (27-40), as they fell 12-4 in the desert on Thursday night.

Scheduled starter Joan Gregorio was scratched just before the game and right-hander Dusten Knight filled in with a valiant effort to get the bullpen through four innings with the game still within striking distance.
The River Cats had their best chance in the 6^th inning, down 4-1 with the bases loaded and nobody out, when Chris Shaw singled home Conor Gillapsie to make it 4-2. The rally ended there, however, as 51s starter Tyler Pill stuck out Mac Williamson before inducing an inning-ending double play from Tim Federowicz.
Las Vegas took control from there, scoring three in the bottom of the 6^th, and five in the 7^th to stretch the lead to 12-2. Sacramento got some late fireworks when Ryder Jones and Chris Shaw each launched a solo home run in the 8^th, but it was too little too late as the River Cats dropped the 7^th in their last nine games.
The River Cats will send right-hander Roberto Gomez (1-3, 5.12) to the mound for the series finale in the desert, while the 51s will counter with righty Donovan Hand (1-2, 7.16). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. (PT) and the game can be heard live online at rivercats.com and on the air on ESPN 1320.
Postgame Notes
Gregorio scratched: Joan Gregorio was the scheduled starter in this one, but was a late scratch for an unannounced reason…in his last three starts, the big right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.93 ERA over 18.1 innings, with a 15:4 strikeout to walk ratio.
Knight in shining armor: Dusten Knight answered the bell with a late spot-start after Gregorio was scratched and performed admirably…the righty got through four innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits, a walk and two strikeouts…the start was only the second of Knight's professional career, and his first since August 9, 2015.
Rehab repot: San Francisco Giants infielder Conor Gillaspie played the seven innings at first base in this one, going 2-4 with a single, a double, and a run scored…in nine games rehab with the River Cats this season, Gillaspie is hitting just .231.
To err is human: The River Cats committed three errors tonight, and eight thus far in the series against Las Vegas…the three errors tonight turned into three unearned runs.
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The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2017 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com